the strong and enterprising young nations of America and Europe, where they see activity and growing wealth. And thus, simply by the world's mercantile polity, we can see that
"To be weak is to be miserable."
I do not blame the Christian world,—I merely point out the significance of a fact. For the truth thus revealed is, that nothing but earnestness, reality, and vigorous manly effort, can gain for us respect, consideration, and the available resources of a thriving nation. The world, in these our days, can waste no thought upon mendicity, nor ragged, imbecile beggarism. It looks for woke: and when it sees that, it graciously pauses and bestows a smile. And so powerful, so deep-seated, is this idea and word in the mind of the age, that it is not confined to mere contemplation; it makes the wide atmosphere of the universe resound with it.
For the land, everywhere, in the bounds of civilization, echoes and re-echoes with it; and ocean winds are vocal with its utterance on every side, from steamboats and clippers, and ships, and the fleets of commerce, and the spreading wings of trade. Yea, the civilized world now rises up with an irresistible audacity and demands, "What right have you to live, ye lethargic do-nothings? And then, in its own bold, free utterance, declares, "We respect nought but the productive agencies of time."
Into our listening ears come these clear, audible words, on this natal day of our country: "The productive agencies of time, and they only, get respect, and notice, and advantage; all the rest is odious
